Kembara Merdeka Programme Ignites Spirit Of Patriotism - Rubiah

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- The Kembara Merdeka Programme held in conjunction with the 2024 National Month is an ideal platform to ignite the spirit of patriotism and love for the country among rural communities, said Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang.

She said the expedition team, comprising 150 participants, embarked on a nine-day convoy starting on Aug 12 and successfully traversed eleven states in Peninsular Malaysia, covering a distance of 1,545 kilometres.

"The Proclamation of Independence Memorial in Melaka was the starting point and the primary aim of this expedition is to convey messages of unity, loyalty, and love for the country.

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"This programme is a testament to the commitment of KKDW (the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development) to further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and the spirit of cooperation within rural communities," she said when closing the Sentuhan Kasih Desa MADANI KKDW programme here today.

She emphasised that the expedition programme should continue to benefit rural communities, in line with the wishes of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, during the closing ceremony of the Kembara Merdeka 2023.

In addition to the expedition programme, Rubiah said that the 2024 National Month activities organised by KKDW were also enhanced with various other programmes aimed at providing opportunities for communities to participate in a wide range of creative and innovative community activities.

She added that among the programmes were a local entrepreneur market at Dataran Gemilang in Precinct 4 here, a Merdeka-themed motorcycle competition, security force demonstrations, and an entrepreneurship seminar.

"The Eksplorasi Desa programme was organised to strengthen economic and entrepreneurial activities among the productive community entrepreneurs from the Department of Community Development (KEMAS), with the participation of 75 entrepreneurs in a four-day sales event starting Aug 16," she said.

Rubiah said the programme also involved 200 children who were exposed on the responsibilities and duties of citizens, as well as the importance of maintaining national harmony and stability.

"This helps to shape a future generation that is more caring, responsible, disciplined, and has a deep love for the country," she added.

Meanwhile, KEMAS director-general Datuk Ahmad Kamal Idris Mohd Nawawi said the expedition participants completed the relay-style expedition and engaged in various community activities at each stop in rural areas.

"Throughout the programme, the expedition team made 24 stops to hold Independence Day-themed activities with rural communities," he said, adding that the response was very encouraging.

Among the highlights of the expedition programme were the launch of the state-level KEMAS Tabika Independence Day celebration; the distribution of Jalur Gemilang flags to KEMAS nurseries and kindergartens as well as rural communities, Merdeka-themed cake decoration competition, and patriotic performances.

-- BERNAMA